Aguero delivers huge blow to Manchester City as he reveals plans to quit ahead of run-in

Sergio Aguero has revealed that he will quit Manchester City in 2018 and rejoin childhood club Independiente – one year before his contract is due to expire.

The 27-year-old striker, who has three-and-a-half years to run on his City contract, says his ambition is to return to Argentina while he is still in his prime.

Aguero has written himself into City folklore with his goalscoring achievements at Etihad Stadium since his £38million switch from Atletico Madrid in 2011, scoring 128 goals in 194 matches for the club.

But the prolific Argentine does not expect to be at Manchester City for the rest of his career.

“In the last few months a lot of things have been said about a new contract, but I didn’t pay any attention,” Aguero told radio station Independiente en la Uno. “It is all set. I am going to retire at Independiente. My family knows, I will return as soon as I finish out my contract with Manchester City in 2018.

“Here [at City] they are already aware. They know that I want to return to Argentina. I am giving my word, from England, that I shall return to Avellaneda. I dream of playing with my brothers.

“Here at the club they are great with me, they always told me that they were open if the chance of a transfer arises. But where am I going to go in Europe?

“No, when I go, when my contract ends, I’m going to Argentina to play for El Rojo. From Manchester, straight to Avellaneda.”

It is not clear why Aguero referred to his contract ending in 2018, as the club have confirmed he is contracted until 2019.

Blue-eyed boy: Aguero is one of the greatest players in City history

However, the player’s remarks would appear to rule out the possibility of an extension to his current deal.

Aguero joined Independiente at the age of nine and broke into the first team as a 15-year-old in 2003, going on to score 23 goals in 54 matches for the 16-times Argentine champions.

He moved to Atletico Madrid at the age of 18 an made his name in Europe as one of the most lethal strikers on the planet.

He has emerged as the outstanding striker of the Sheikh Mansour era and is widely regarded as the Premier League’s best forward following Luis Suarez’s switch to Barcelona in 2014.

Last season’s 26-goal Golden Boot winner has added another 21 strikes from 30 matches in all competitions this season, although his campaign has been disrupted by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for six weeks.